In Support of Federal Legislation to Create Incentives to Law Students to Participate in Public Service Occupations After Graduation
Resolution 4: In Support of Federal Legislation to Create Incentives to Law Students to Participate in Public Service Occupations After Graduation
WHEREAS, the 109th Congress considered legislation designed to encourage qualified individuals to enter into and continue employment for at least three years as criminal prosecutors and public defenders by means of providing U.S. government payment of a portion of that individual's student loan for each year of such employment; and
WHEREAS, the 110th Congress is also likely to consider legislation to assist the repayment of student loans of qualified individuals who commit to employment as prosecutors and public defenders; and
WHEREAS, the Association of American Law Schools, Equal Justice Works, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and the American Bar Association have expressed support for the above-described legislation; and
WHEREAS, lawyers who engage in civil legal services to enhance access to justice by low income persons render valuable public service that is comparable to that provided by criminal prosecutors and public defenders;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices hereby urges the Congress to adopt legislation to give financial incentives to law school graduates to commit to sustained public service as prosecutors and public defenders; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conference also encourages Congress to develop and adopt separate legislation providing similar relief for qualified individuals who engage in employment as civil legal aid attorneys.
Adopted as proposed by the Government Affairs Committee and the Professionalism and Competence of the Bar Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices on February 7, 2007.